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10 PEOPLE SPEAK OPINION Odhiambo “What we are witnessing is a looting competition by greedy individuals who do not deserve the title leader,” National Civil Society Congress leader Morris Odhiambo on senators’ perks Editorial It’s time we raised our anti-terror antennae The killing of al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, a week ago in an American air strike, was welcome news to Kenya given the damage he and his terror group had inflicted on the country. He was struck down just two weeks before the first anniversary of the Westgate Shopping Mall terror attack that traumatised Kenyans last year. However, given the known modus operandi of the al Qaeda-linked terror group, it is not time yet to celebrate the “defeat” of al Shabaab, but a moment to heighten alert against terror attacks. Struck in their soft under-belly, the group is most likely bound to organise revenge attacks. As if to show that it may be down but definitely far from out, al Shabaab has already named a re- back at presumed affiliates Shabaab, will want to hit Since the US is a hard target to take on, al placement for Godane. The aim of the US, Kenya and African Mission in Somalia (Amisom) forces is to see al Shabaab disabled completely. But that goal is far from being achieved, even with the killing of the terror kingpin. This fact has been captured through the words of Kenya Defence Forces spokesperson Col Wilson Wesonga, who was quoted in The People Daily yesterday saying: “It is good that leaders of terror groups are being decapitated, but the war on terror is not easy. This is a war that will require cooperation of all nations to be won.” And Captain (Rtd) Simiyu Werunga, whose se- curity think-tank Africa Centre for Security Studies has researched extensively on al Shabaab, noted that Kenya can be happy for now given that Godane was the Westgate attack mastermind, but it cannot afford to blink in the war against terror. Even with the killing that the US has described as a “symbolic operational loss to al Shabaab”, the operation to detect and deter possible terror attacks must be sustained without letting down the guard. Since the US is a hard target to take on, al Sha- baab, like terror groups of similar evil ilk, will want to hit back at presumed affiliates and Kenya’s soft exposure, stretched along a rugged border, is the most vulnerable. It can only be hoped that harsh experience, gained from numerous attacks on our soil, is enough to learn from as security forces are called upon to watch out against terror attacks. Like a thief in the night, the coming of the day of terror is unpredictable by the stealth nature of terror groups’ operations, but constant high surveillance and reaction to intelligence must be perfected to safeguard this country from senseless infliction of pain by the al Shabaab and other threats. James Momanyi Digital exams good, but will they curb cheating? The Kenya National Examinations Coun- cil (Knec) intends to change the way national exams are conducted in future, especially the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). Knec acting chief executive Joseph Kivilu last week told a local daily the national examiner will, in the coming days, administer exams using a computer–based application that will allow pupils tackle questions and submit answers online. One of the reasons of going digital is to rein in on exam cheating, especially on those that have multiple-choice questions. The system will also bring efficiency in administering because the system provides for an auto marking method developed specifically to support automatic grading. This application will administer different sets of the same questions arranged randomly to eliminate chances of candidates copying from one another. This means two candidates sitting next to each other may not tackle the same questions at the same time. While one candidate is tackling, say question one, the neighbouring candidate would be answering question 20. The questions will be arranged randomly unlike in the current manual system where questions are arranged from number one to the last. The other safety measure is that once a candidate submits an answer, it cannot be retrieved. So chances of candidates exchanging answers at any one time may not arise. But the problem with this system is that it does not give candidates a second or even third chance to rethink their answers. Most candidates have that tendency of rushing through questions till the end before they go through them over again with a tooth comb with the aim of confirming whether they made correct choices and then make changes but they simply want to create more demands and a circus Knut knows this will possibly never be met where necessary. With this system, candidates have to make a decision there and then before moving to the next question. Secondly, the system arranges the ques- tions randomly. But again what can stop the candidates from picking the answers, keep them and then use the answers later when they get to the right question? These changes may also raise a number of issues. Foremost, why should Knec invest money in this system when its implementation is doubtful? I am saying doubtful because the national examiner says they want to take advantage of the Standard One pupils laptop programme to implement the system. The laptop project is currently facing headwinds but even if it is finally rolled out, where will this arrangement leave private schools? Hundreds of private schools have no computers and most are not even connected to the national grid or any source of power. What will happen to candidates in such schools? Furthermore, all pupils will have to be trained on how to use the system. Is there time, physical and human infrastructure for that? That is why I am asking again, why embark of a project that may not see the light of day? Again, although cases of exam irregu- larities increased last year to 1,576 from 718 cases in 2012, is this number critical enough to digitalise KCPE examinations? Bear in mind that even with this computer application, some forms of exam irregularities will still endure because the system will only try to minimise instances of cheating possibly between neighbouring candidates! [email protected] Kilimo “We are already enforcing law prohibiting outdated cultures and the days for perpetrators are numbered,” AntiFGM Board chair Linah Kilimo on efforts to phase out ‘women cut’ practices Mututho “Why should we continue witnessing deaths because somebody failed to comply with a simple directive? Nacada chair John Mututho as he criticised county commissioners over illicit brews Monday, September 8, 2014 / PEOPLE DAILY A PUBLICATION OF MEDIAMAX NETWORK LIMITED IAN FERNANDES: Chief Executive Officer PETER OPONDO: Group Managing Editor MAINA MUIRURI: Managing Editor Print People Daily is published by MEDIAMAX NETWORK LIMITED at DSM Place, Kijabe Street, P.O. Box 24943, 00100 - Nairobi, Tel: 0730144100; 0709824000; 0204944100 People Daily E-mail: editor.people@ mediamax.co.ke Copyright 2014 QUOTED TODAY